ADAC GT Masters Hockenheimring: Ammermüller and Engehart won again for SSR performance

• On the third race weekend of the ADAC GT Masters 2020 at the Hockenheimring, SSR Performance celebrated the second season win with Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart
• Stefan Schlund, Managing Director of SSR Performance GmbH: ” We really didn’t expect that this weekend.”
• SSR Performance GmbH is now leading in the team championship

Hockenheimring/Munich, 20 September 2020 – Yes, they did it again! At the third race weekend of the ADAC GT Masters 2020, the SSR Performance GmbH team could celebrate the second season win with Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart (SSR Porsche 911 GT3 R). After three race weekends, the SSR Performance GmbH is now leading in the team championship.

The fast and experienced GT racing drivers Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart, who take turns at the steering wheel of the up to 550 hp SSR Porsche 911 GT3 R on the ADAC GT Masters race weekends (which each consist of two races), took it easy in the second free practise at the Hockenheimring. After finishing fourth in the first, the SSR Porsche 911 GT3 R took 20th place in the second free practice.

Team boss Wolfgang Hatz also provided the explanation: “We drove with used tires and were saving the fresh ones for the qualifying and the race.” In the qualifying for the first race, Christian Engelhart took second position, only 0.058 seconds apart of the pole setter which meant an excellent starting position for race 5 at the Hockenheimring. “My lap was good, I’m very happy, the car was great. It’s just a shame when you look at the timetable that I just missed the pole by such a small margin. But being in the front row is always good, I’m trying again to give my maximum in the race ”, promised Christian Engelhart.

The fresh set of tires should played a decisive role in the first run on Saturday. “I got off to a good start right away and, thanks to the fresh tires, I was able to follow the leader well,” commented Christian Engelhart, pointing out the key scene of the race: “After an accident-related safety car phase, I was able to closely follow the leader Dennis Marshall, and when he was running wide in the first corner, I was able to benefit from it after the next corner, I got the slipstream, could pass him and took the lead. ”

Another perfectly timed pit stop ensured that Michael Ammermüller was able to defend the lead up to the finish. “The team once again provided us with a great car. Of course, Christian’s good qualifying and his great overtaking maneuver were decisive. In the end, it was relatively easy for me to manage the lead well, ”emphasized Ammermüller and brought the SSR Porsche 911 GT3 R home with a much acclaimed first place. Stefan Schlund, Managing Director  of SSR Performance GmbH from Munich, was completely enthusiastic: “We really didn’t expect that today. Nevertheless, I brought a second T-shirt with me this morning – and I needed it after the champagne shower on the podium.” In the qualifying on Sunday, Michael Ammermüller was stuck in traffic and ended up in 20th place. Due to the additional 30 kilograms successful weight in the second race of the weekend, no significant improvement was possible, Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart were listed at the end in 18th place. As a consolation, the SSR Porsche 911 GT3 R can unload the 30 kilograms of successful weight again on the next race weekend at the Sachsenring.

Results Round 5 ADAC GT Masters Nürburgring (D):

1. Christian Engelhart/Michael Ammermüller, SSR Performance, Porsche 911 GT3 R, 1:22.50.184 h
2. Patric Niederhauser/Kelvin van der Linde, Rutronik Racing, Audi R8 LMS, +1.765 sec.
3. Tim Zimmermann/Steijn Shothorst, GRT Grasser Racing Lamborgini Huracán GT3E, +8.835 sec.
4. Klaus Bachler/Simona de Silvestro, KÜS Team75 Bernhard, Porsche 911 GT3 R, +16.451 sec.
5. Albert Costa Balboa/Franc Perera, GRT Grasser Racing Lamborgini Huracán GT3E, +17.813 sec.

Results Round 6 ADAC GT Masters Nürburgring (D):

1. Patric Niederhauser/Kelvin van der Linde, Rutronik Racing, Audi R8 LMS GT3, 1:01.45.223 h
2. Christopher Haase, Max Hofer, Montaplast by Land Motorsport, Audi R8 LMS GT3, +4.291 sec.
3. Rolf Inneichen/Mirko Bortolotti, Team WRT, Audi R8 LMS GT3, +16.048 sec.
4. Indy Dontje/Maximilian Götz, Mann-Filter HTP-WINWARD, Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, +19.684 sec.
5. Christian Engelhart/Michael Ammermüller, SSR Performance, Porsche 911 GT3 R, +49,425 sec.

Championship standings after 6 of 14 rounds:

Drivers:

1. Kelvin van der Linde and Patric Niederhauser, 88 points each
2. Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart, 84 points each
3. Maro Engel and Luca Stolz, 81 points each
4. Robert Rennauer and Sven Müller, 69 points each
5. Christopher Haase and Max Hofer, 56 points each
6. Albert Costa Balboa and Franc Perera, 52 points each

Teams:

1. SSR Performance, 91 points
2. Rutronik Racing, 90 points
3. Toksport WRT, 86 points
4. Precote Herberth Motorsport, 76 points
5. Team WRT, 71 points
6. Montaplast by Land Motorsport, 66 points

The young and dynamic, Munich based SSR Performance GmbH was founded by a motorsport and car enthusiast.  The exclusive car conversion company had an exciting start into the year 2020. After moving into a new high performance automotive centre in the north of the Bavarian capital, where six floors with around 10,000 square metres of usable area are available, SSR Performance’s motorsport division is competing the ADAC GT Masters 2020. During the two-race format weekends of ADAC GT Masters, the fast and proven GT-racers Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart share the cockpit of the up to 550-horse power strong SSR Porsche 911 GT3 R.

“For us, this high-profile race series is the best possible showcase to demonstrate our competence in motorsports and sports cars,” says Stefan Schlund, CEO of the SSR Performance GmbH. Michael Cap, Head of Motorsports & Events adds: “We are happy to have with Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart two extremely fast and experienced GT-specialists driving for our team.” Wolfgang Hatz is the Team Director of SSR Performance for ADAC GT Masters season.

For the SSR Performance GmbH, motorsport is an essential part of its DNA. The company has already made itself a name with building, enhancing and optimizing sports and classic cars and now takes on the challenge of the ADAC GT Masters 2020.

At a glance: Michael Ammermüller

In 2007, today 34 years old Michael Ammermüller was very close to landing a seat in Formula One. But when he broke his scaphoid, this dream went down the drain – and a certain Sebastian Vettel was signed by Toro Rosso. But to give up was never an option for Ammermüller. He put his focus on GT racing. In 2008, he made his debut in the Porsche Carrera Cup, in 2012 followed by ADAC GT Masters. After two second places in the German Porsche series in 2014 and 2018, he started to shine in the international Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. He dominated the series in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and set a title hat trick. Ammermüller lives in Rotthalmünster in the very south of Germany in Bavaria.

At a glance: Christian Engelhart

33 years old Christian Engelhart from Starnberg started his motorsport career in kart racing, before he competed in the German Formula BMW series and had two successful years in the Austrian Touring Car Championship. Then, he changed to GT sports and entered the German Porsche Carrera Cup, becoming three times vice champion. In 2012, his first full season in the ADAC GT Masters, he finished third overall. In 2017, Engelhart became champion of the Blancpain GT Series, two years later he came second in ADAC GT Masters. In his career, the professional GT race driver and driving coach achieved 43 victories and 166 podium positions. Among his career highlights are, besides the title wins in the Blancpain GT and GT Endurance Championship, victories at the Rolex 24 hours of Daytona and the 24 hours races in Dubai and Zolder.

At a glance: Wolfgang Hatz

Just in time before the season’s start, the young and promising motorsport team of SSR Performance GmbH could secure the services of one of the most experienced top-managers in motorsports. Wolfgang Hatz is not only the mastermind behind the successful Porsche LMP1 projects, which led to three victories at the legendary 24 hours race in Le Mans and three World Endurance Championships in a row. He also collected in other motorsport categories up to Formula One vast experience and multiple successes. From 1983 up to 1989 Hatz worked as an engineer for research and development in the powertrain department of BMW and was responsible as project leader for the development of the legendary M3 engine S14. After that, he joined Porsche and until 1993 led the Formula One development. After several leading positions with different car manufactures, he returned to Porsche in 2011 as Board Member for Research and Development and led the LMP1 program of the Stuttgart based brand.

For its maiden ADAC GT Masters season, the young team of SSR Performance can rely on the support of the experienced specialists from Manthey Racing.

Fun on the race track – track days with professional support

Everybody, who wants to enjoy pure racing feeling, is invited to the track days of SSR Performance GmbH. Experienced racing professionals like Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart are assisting as instructors. Thanks to the comprehensive support at the race track, the customer can fully concentrate on driving. The Track days starts at the Red Bull Ring. Guests who have booked the GT Masters package will experience races 9 and 10 of the thrilling racing series from October 16-18 as guests of the SSR Performance Team at the Red Bull Ring. After the race weekend, the Track Day will take place on October 19, and the return journey is planned for the following day. If you only want to experience Track Day in a very compact way, you can arrive on October 18 and join the event program.

For more information concerning the event calendar visit the web site www.ssr-performance.de or contact SSR Performance via mail at [email protected].

At a glance: The drivers of SSR Performance for the ADAC GT Masters 2020

Driver:                   Michael Ammermüller                                                       Driver:                   Christian Engelhart

Born:                      14/02/1986                                                                          Born:                      13/12/1986

Age:                       34                                                                                          Age:                       33

Lives in:                 Rotthalmünster (DEU)                                                       Lives in:                 Starnberg (DEU)

At a glance: The SSR PORSCHE 911 GT3 R 991.2

Based on the 991.2 series, Porsche developed the 911 GT3 R for GT racing. Compared to the successful predecessor, the model features even more advanced aerodynamics and kinematics. The six-cylinder boxer engine with a displacement of 4.0 litres delivers up to 550 hp, depending on the respective race series’ rules. The power is transferred to the rear wheels by a six-speed gearbox operated by paddle shifters. The car weighs in at 1,235 kgs.

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The calendar of the ADAC GT Masters 2020

31 July – 02 August:                    ADAC GT Lausitzring (D)

14 – 16 August:                             ADAC GT Masters Nürburgring (D)

18 –  20 September:                   ADAC GT Masters Hockenheim (D)

02 – 04 October:                           ADAC GT Masters Sachsenring (D)

16 – 18 October:                           ADAC GT Masters Red Bull Ring (A)

30 October – 01 November:       ADAC GT Masters Zandvoort (NL)

06 – 08 November:                      ADAC GT Masters Oschersleben (D)

Download link: https://ssr-performance.de/presse/presseportal/ Passwort: ssrmedia